Pets have very much become part of the family in modern times and many people are incorporating their furry friends into their interior design choices.
That's certainly the case for Lorna, 37, whose "favourite addition" to her 1920s home is the DIY kennel she built under the stairs with a pull out dog food bar above it.
In our Where I Live series, the ECHO will explore one house from across the region each week, with the owner giving us an insight into how they've made their house a home.
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Lorna relocated from south Liverpool to the Wirral three years ago, buying her four-bed semi for £192,000 at the beginning of 2020.
Since moving in, Lorna said the work she's done is "mostly aesthetic" with half of the rooms now overhauled. She's only the third owner of the house, which was in the same family for 70 years.
Lorna said: "I was looking for something that would be a small project, in that it needed a bit of work but wouldn't require a complete renovation. It's not my forever home but that doesn't mean I won't put the effort in and add my stamp to it."
She's also invested in boarding the loft to add storage space and added a log burner to the living room.
Original features of the home include parquet flooring and internal doors, although Lorna was almost fooled by a pair of Art Deco fireplaces added in the 1950s. She said: "I've definitely had a lesson; just because it looks and fits with the age of the house doesn't mean it's an original. That made me feel better about wanting to rip them out and replace with something more tasteful.
"The outside toilet is still is still in the shed too; it's no longer plumbed in, but it's all intact."
Lorna added: "This year I'll be knocking down a wall between the kitchen and dining room to open it up and create a more social space, as well as adding a log burner in there. I can't wait to get going despite not having any ideas for decorating in there yet."
The house is currently a rich tapestry of colour and quirky knick-knacks that work perfectly together.
No room has escaped Lorna's touch, with even the home office daubed in deep burgundy, clashing with the olive green hallway and black master bedroom. The use of pictures, houseplants, different textures and natural light makes the darkness work.
Lorna describes her style as 'eclectic with rustic touches'. She said: "I like rich colours, textures and talking points. For me a home should be warm, comfortable and inviting.
"I don't follow trends and just add to the house with things that I like over time, whether it's just an aesthetic or how they make me feel. I also love being outside and in nature so will bring that into the house where I can; plants create a positive impact in any environment so will add them into every room."
Lorna said she's "always been drawn" to vibrant medias and her tastes have "matured over time". Another thing she's passionate about is antiques.
"I've been really lucky as I inherited a lot of the antique furniture I have, but it's definitely a balancing act," Lorna said. "I don't have many large pieces so they don't dominate any space, that makes it easier to build up decor and other styles around them.
"I will also happily mix old with new, it's more about themes and complimentary tones than matching up periods and styles."
She advised any would-be antique hunters to "be open minded".
"Have an idea of what you want or need. For example, a clock for the mantle piece - don't get bogged down with the detail, you might find yourself struggling to find it in your budget and you may miss out on something you actually love even more."
Would you like to be included in the ECHO's Where I Live feature?
We'll be taking a look inside a different property each week. If you're splurging on a renovation, trying your hand at DIY to save money, or have a passion for interiors, let us know.
Please email your name and details to storm.newton@reachplc.com
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